Make a superb veal dish, and do it Sinatra's way

SUZANNE S. JONES YOU ASKED FOR IT

Q. My husband's favorite meal at Vigneto's Italian Grill in Plantation is the Veal Sinatra. I would love to surprise him and prepare the entree. - Jeannine Reyell, Davie

A. Chef/owner Angelo Di Piazza of Vigneto's Italian Grill, 1662 S. University Drive, Plantation, 954-915-0806, is delighted to share the recipe for Veal Sinatra, along with its story about the now-deceased Mike Falco, who was one of Frank Sinatra's chauffeurs whenever the singer came to Florida.

Falco was also an avid cook who often prepared food for Sinatra. Falco shared the dish with his good friend Di Piazza, telling the restaurant owner it was one of Sinatra's favorites.

This is a superbly savory dish and visually pleasing. As Di Piazza says, it is important to "start with good-quality veal cutlets," which means buying your veal from a reliable butcher.

You have a choice of chopping, dicing or slicing the vegetables. We opted to dice them. We like the way those evenly cut onions, red and green peppers and mushrooms look blanketing and surrounding the nicely browned and breaded cutlets. The mozzarella cheese, quickly melted, adds a final touch.

Serve vegetable strudel as impressive side dish

Q. I copied a recipe for a vegetable strudel from a magazine or a newspaper that used the Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets as a base. We all loved it, and it made an impressive side dish with any simply prepared meat or poultry.

I've misplaced the recipe and wanted to make it for a party. I am hoping you can help me reconstruct that wonderful recipe. - Arlene Harper, Fort Lauderdale

A. That recipe for Vegetable Cheese Strudel is just one of many that Pepperidge Farm has used in ads, brochures and other materials. We have featured it as a main course at a luncheon, along with a salad and hot breads.

Take delicious salsa recipe along for move

Q. We have been eating at La Bamba since it opened. They make the best mild salsa we have ever eaten.

We are moving to Ocala. I did ask someone there for the recipe and told them we were moving soon. They just laughed and told me not to move. - Juli Van Der Meulen, Margate

Q. Can I use regular salt instead of kosher salt in recipes? What's the difference? - Lee Parker, West Palm Beach

A. Kosher salt tastes less salty. If you use regular salt instead of kosher salt in a recipe, you must use half as much regular salt to get the same saltiness.

Maple Walnut Cake will bring back memories

Q. Many, many years ago, my older brother worked for a bakery called Hanscome. They made a Maple Walnut Cake with the most delicious maple walnut butter cream icing. I would be so happy if you could track down a similar recipe. - Mimi Newman, Boynton Beach

A. And many, many years ago, we managed a gourmet food and gift shop called Harrington's of Vermont. We helped Marjorie Blanchard, a talented cook and food writer, now deceased, develop and test recipes. We bring you her recipe for Maple Walnut Cake with Maple Butter Icing.

Send questions for freelance writer Suzanne S. Jones to You Asked For It, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293 or dhartz@sun-sentinel.com (subject line: "You Asked for It"). Include name, address and phone number. Local requests only, please. Due to volume, not all requests are published, nor can we personally respond. Previously published recipes are available at sun-sentinel.com

Thaw the pastry sheet at room temperature about 30 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water together; set aside.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green and red peppers, mushrooms, onions, eggplant, garlic and basil. Cook, stirring, 5 to 6 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and fragrant. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.